CHRIS BISHOP Floral tributes were laid at the gates of the Royal Estate at Sandringham today, a stone's throw from the country house where Diana was born.

CHRIS BISHOP

Floral tributes were laid at the gates of the Royal Estate at Sandringham today, a stone's throw from the country house where Diana was born.

By lunchtime nearly 30 bouquets and cards had been fixed to the Norwich Gates just yards from Park House, where the then Diana Spencer was born in 1961.

They included bunches of carnations and roses, a framed portrait of Diana and photographs cut out from newspapers and magazines.

One said: “Diana, 10 years have passed but you're still in our hearts. We will always remember you. Rose and Family, Cyn, Alex, Tracey and Luke.”

Others read: “Never out of our hearts, Queen of our hearts. Rosemary and Richard.

“If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, we'd walk right up to Heaven and bring you back again. Miss you our Princess.

“From the Bates Family, Shropshire. You made a wonderful impression.

“For Lady Di. Your life may be 10 years gone but your memory will always live on.

“Diana, the true People's Princess.”

Flowers were also left at the gates of Althorp, near Northampton, the Spencer family seat and home of Diana's younger brother, Earl Spencer.

Diana, who lived on the estate as a teenager, is buried on an island on a lake in the grounds of the house.

The Earl today invited charity workers, members of organisations supported by Diana and limited numbers of members of the public into the estate.

Organisations close to Diana's heart, including Barnardo's, the English National Ballet, the National Aids Trust and the Royal Marsden Hospital, were among groups invited to tour the grounds.

It is the first time members of the public have been allowed into the Spencer family home on the anniversary of the Princess's death.

Since 1998, Althorp has remained closed on August 31.

Earl Spencer said: "This year, though, I wanted to invite, as my family's guests, representatives of those charities and groups particularly associated with Diana.

"It seems a fitting way to remember her invaluable association with so many fine organisations."

Visitors saw an exhibition about Diana's life, which includes an updated section focusing on the work of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.